Flood waters subside in North Ostrobothnia, Finland
After severe flooding in North Ostrobothnia, Finland, water levels are finally coming down. The floods leave millions of euros’ damages in their wake.
According to The Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), the water level of Siikajoki river, which has experienced the worst flooding in the region, has come down by about ten centimetres since Saturday evening. SYKE predicts the waters will now subside quickly.
“The water should be below flood-levels in that area on Tuesday. By then, roads should be open, though low-lying fields may still be soaked,” said Arto Lehto from North Ostrobothnia’s Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment.
The floods have taken a heavy economic toll.
“Farmland in the area has suffered greatly. Summer cottages have been flooded, and some docks have gone adrift. Damages to harvests will run into millions of euros,” Lehto cautioned.
Water levels of the Kalajoki and Pyhäjoki rivers have already been coming down for several days,
The water level in Lake Oulujärvi is expected to stay very high for quite a while, and the water-flow of Oulujoki river is estimated to remain exceptionally strong for the next couple of weeks.
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